Eurasianism: An Ideology for the Multipolar World

(Hardback)

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Eurasianism: An Ideology for the Multipolar World investigates the ideology of Eurasianism, a political doctrine that founds its principles on geopolitics and conservatism. Specifically, the book examines neo-Eurasianist thought and its implications for the international system. After collocating Eurasianism in the spectrum of conservative theories, the research analyzes its historical evolution from the early 20th century to its contemporary manifestations. Pizzolo describes the liaison between Eurasianism and geopolitics, describing the nature of geopolitics and the main theories that highlight the relevance of the Eurasian landmass, including Mackinders Heartland theory, Spykmans Rimland theory, and Haushofers Kontinentalblock project. The book also focuses on the central elements of the neo-Eurasianist ideology, including the key features of the so-called Fourth Political Theory, arguing that Eurasianism could represent a theoretical contribution for the advent of the multipolar world.

Reviews

Since the disintegration of the Soviet Union, Russia's efforts to define itself as well as to reknit the Soviet space has generated political and scholarly attention in the West as well as in Russia. At the center of interest is "Eurasianism," which serves to define Russia as both European and Asian and as a scaffold for various projects to integrate former Soviet republics. Defining "Eurasianism" as an ideology, Pizzolo (LUISS Guido Carlo Univ., Italy) addresses the concept in the context of geopolitical theories, notably those of Halford Mackinder and Nicholas J. Spykman. This covers familiar ground, but his narrative on Aleksandr Dugin's "neo-Eurasianism" is a useful study of the more controversial aspects of "Eurasianism." Among other things, Pizzolo discusses Dugin's "Fourth Political Theory," a peculiar melding of liberalism, fascism, and Marxism that is intended to replace Western Atlanticism as a dominant world order. The international system, Dugin argues, is becoming multipolar. Pizzolo also addresses Dugin's much-criticized advocacy of Russian imperialism. Pizzolo's study is well documented with a bibliography rich in Russian sources. The book is strongly recommended for all university readers. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Lower-division undergraduates through faculty.

Author Bio

Paolo Pizzolo is research fellow in international relations at the University LUISS Guido Carlo of Rome.